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Hedges supplied an officer cocaine in the club’s DJ booth, out of sight of CCTV cameras, on December 13.

On January 10, police bought £50 of cocaine from Mayberry on behalf of Hedges.

Hedges, of Hall Lane, Huyton, admitted three counts of being concerned in the supply of and two counts of supplying Class A drugs.

He had no previous convictions.

Teresa Loftus, defending, said he was addicted to cocaine and sold from his own stash to support his habit.

She admitted he played a “significant role” but argued he did not use his business as a front for supplying drugs.

Miss Loftus said: “This was a business he was passionate about. It was a small aside within the context of a lengthy career within the Liverpool music community.”

She said Hedges and his wife – the licensee – both lost their jobs and their two daughters were “utterly floored” by his actions.

Miss Loftus said: “It’s been a fall from grace which both him and his wife are really struggling to cope with.”

The barrister said a “cocktail of drink and drugs” took its toll on Hedges, who suffered from depression since his discharge from the Royal Naval Reserve.

She said he served his country in the second Iraq war and it was a “traumatic” experience, leaving him with symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.

'Destroyed life's work'

He then worked as a school caretaker and became a governor, investing his time and money to promote and support young musicians.

She said: “He has in many ways destroyed his life’s work.

“He’s brought tremendous shame upon a decent family and from his perspective lost everything.”

Judge Andrew Hutton said Hedges was “regularly and willingly” dealing Class A drugs “with apparent impunity” in the club he managed.

He said: “You had been the manager for four years and your wife was the licensee. You were happy to put at risk all of that. You were happy to talk openly of cocaine with undercover police officers and willing to supply cocaine to them at any time they wished.”

The judge ruled that Hedges played a “leading role” and did use his business as a cover.

He said: “There must have been financial rewards and I anticipate substantial ones.”

In pictures: The Lomax Club

He said: “He wants to serve his time and lead an honest, decent life in future. It’s a shame he didn’t think of that before.”

Jailing him for four years, Judge Hatton said: “You were motivated by significant financial advantage. Those rewards clearly merited the significant risks you were taking. Now those risks come back to you.”